Vehicles and methods for handling materials

Abstract

Disclosed are vehicles and methods for transporting materials.

1. A vehicle comprising:
 a principal frame; 
 a first track frame rotatably coupled to the principal frame, to rotate about a first axis; 
 a first member coupled to the first track frame, the first member being arranged about the first axis, the first member having a first engagement structure and a second engagement structure; 
 a retractable member configured to operate in a first position engaged with the first or second engagement structure to oppose rotation of the first track frame in a first direction about the first axis, and oppose rotation of the first track frame in a direction opposite the first direction, and a second position allowing the first track frame to rotate about the first axis; 
 a first roller rotatably coupled to the first track frame, to rotate about a second axis; 
 a second roller rotatably coupled to the first track frame; and 
 a first belt entrained around the first and second rollers, 
 
     wherein the first member defines a first recess that constitutes the first engagement structure, and a second recess that constitutes the second engagement structure. 
   
   
     2. The vehicle of  claim 1  wherein the first axis and the second axis are the same. 
   
   
     3. The vehicle of  claim 1  wherein a first axel extends extending from a first side of the first roller and from a second side of the first roller, and wherein the first track frame includes a first axel support at the first side, and a second axel support at the second side. 
   
   
     4. The vehicle of  claim 1  wherein the first track frame defines a first through hole and the first axel support includes the first through hole, and a defines a second through hole and the first axel support includes the first through hole. 
   
   
     5. The vehicle of  claim 1  wherein the retractable member is responsive to an operator control. 
   
   
     6. A vehicle comprising:
 a principal frame; 
 a first track frame rotatably coupled to the principal frame, to rotate about a first axis; 
 a first member coupled to the first track frame, the first member being arranged about the first axis, the first member having a first engagement structure and a second engagement structure; 
 a retractable member configured to operate in a first position engaged with the first or second engagement structure to oppose rotation of the first track frame in a first direction about the first axis, and oppose rotation of the first track frame in a direction opposite the first direction, and a second position allowing the first track frame to rotate about the first axis; 
 a first roller rotatably coupled to the first track frame, to rotate about a second axis; 
 a second roller rotatably coupled to the first track frame; and 
 a first belt entrained around the first and second rollers, 
 
     wherein the retractable member is responsive to an operator control and the operator control includes a trigger that moves a cable coupled to the retractable member. 
   
   
     7. A vehicle comprising:
 a principal frame; 
 a first track frame rotatably coupled to the principal frame, to rotate about a first axis; 
 a first member coupled to the first track frame, the first member being arranged about the first axis, the first member having a first engagement structure and a second engagement structure; 
 a retractable member configured to operate in a first position engaged with the first or second engagement structure to oppose rotation of the first track frame in a first direction about the first axis, and oppose rotation of the first track frame in a direction opposite the first direction, and a second position allowing the first track frame to rotate about the first axis; 
 a first roller rotatably coupled to the first track frame, to rotate about a second axis; 
 a second roller rotatably coupled to the first track frame; 
 a first belt entrained around the first and second rollers; 
 a first wheel configured to rotate about a third axis offset from the second axis; 
 a first gear coaxial with the second axis, the first gear being coupled to the first roller; 
 a second gear coaxial with the third axis, the second gear being coupled to drive the first wheel; 
 a third gear configured to rotate about a fourth axis, the third gear being engagable to drive the second gear; and 
 a fourth gear configured to rotate about the fourth axis, the fourth gear being engagable to drive the first gear. 
 
   
   
     8. A vehicle comprising:
 a principal frame; 
 a first track frame rotatably coupled to the principal frame, to rotate about a first axis; 
 a first member coupled to the first track frame, the first member being arranged about the first axis, the first member having a first engagement structure and a second engagement structure; 
 a retractable member configured to operate in a first position engaged with the first or second engagement structure to oppose rotation of the first track frame in a first direction about the first axis, and oppose rotation of the first track frame in a direction opposite the first direction, and a second position allowing the first track frame to rotate about the first axis; 
 a first roller rotatably coupled to the first track frame, to rotate about a second axis; 
 a second roller rotatably coupled to the first track frame; and 
 a first belt entrained around the first and second rollers, 
 
     wherein the first engagement structure includes a first surface opposing rotation of the first track frame in the first direction and a second surface opposing rotation of the first track frame in the direction opposite the first direction, and the second engagement structure includes a first surface opposing rotation of the first track frame in the first direction and a second surface opposing rotation of the first track frame in the direction opposite the first direction. 
   
   
     9. A vehicle comprising:
 a principal frame; 
 a first track frame rotatably coupled to the principal frame, to rotate about a first axis; 
 a first member coupled to the first track frame, the first member being arranged about the first axis, the first member defining a first recess that constitutes a first engagement structure, and a second recess that constitutes a second engagement structure; 
 a retractable member configured to operate in a first position engaged with the first or second engagement structure, and a second position allowing the first track frame to rotate about the first axis; 
 a first roller rotatably coupled to the first track frame, to rotate about a second axis; 
 a second roller rotatably coupled to the first track frame; and 
 a first belt entrained around the first and second rollers. 
 
   
   
     10. A vehicle comprising:
 a principal frame; 
 a first track frame rotatably coupled to the principal frame, to rotate about a first axis; 
 a first member coupled to the first track frame, the first member being arranged about the first axis, the first member having a first engagement structure and a second engagement structure; 
 a retractable member configured to operate in a first position engaged with the first or second engagement structure, and a second position allowing the first track frame to rotate about the first axis; 
 a first roller rotatably coupled to the first track frame, to rotate about a second axis; 
 a second roller rotatably coupled to the first track frame; and 
 a first belt entrained around the first and second rollers, 
 
     wherein the retractable member is responsive to an operator control, and the operator control includes a trigger that moves a cable coupled to the retractable member. 
   
   
     11. A vehicle comprising:
 a principal frame; 
 a first track frame rotatably coupled to the principal frame, to rotate about a first axis; 
 a first member coupled to the first track frame, the first member being arranged about the first axis, the first member having a first engagement structure and a second engagement structure; 
 a retractable member configured to operate in a first position engaged with the first or second engagement structure, and a second position allowing the first track frame to rotate about the first axis; 
 a first roller rotatably coupled to the first track frame, to rotate about a second axis; 
 a second roller rotatably coupled to the first track frame; 
 a first belt entrained around the first and second rollers; 
 a first wheel configured to rotate about a third axis offset from the second axis; 
 a first gear coaxial with the second axis, the first gear being coupled to the first roller; 
 a second gear coaxial with the third axis, the second gear being coupled to drive the first wheel; 
 a third gear configured to rotate about a fourth axis, the third gear being engagable to drive the second gear; and 
 a fourth gear configured to rotate about the fourth axis, the fourth gear being engagable to drive the first gear.